The study covers the period from 1991 to 2018 and is dedicated to a comprehensive analysis and generalization of the experience in public affairs within the strategic communications system of NATO member armed forces. In an era of information threats and hybrid warfare, public affairs play a crucial role in ensuring national security, shaping a positive image of the military, and promoting civilian democratic control. The research examines the potential for adapting the experience of NATO member countries in this field to improve the communication strategy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU).
The first section is devoted to the historiography, sources, and methodology of research on public affairs within the strategic communications system of NATO and Ukraine's armed forces. The study provides a comprehensive review of the development and role of public affairs (PA) in the context of strategic communications, which is a vital tool in modern information policy and the support of military operations. Scholars focus on coordinating efforts within NATO, standardizing approaches to strategic communications, and the importance of adapting international practices to Ukraine’s national context. Ukrainian research is also highlighted, concentrating on countering hybrid threats and disinformation, emphasizing the need to integrate international experience to ensure national security.
The research base includes a wide range of literature, legal acts, official documents, archival materials, media reports, and information from social networks, covering both historical and contemporary aspects of public affairs in the military sphere. Significant attention is given to analytical reports from research institutions such as the RAND Corporation and NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence, which have served as important sources for understanding current trends in PA and strategic communications.
The research methodology is based on the application of general scientific and specialized historical methods, enabling a systematic analysis of the evolution of public affairs. The use of problem-chronological and historical-system approaches has contributed to identifying the key stages of PA development as a component of strategic communications, as well as its impact on information policy and national security. Literature and source analysis, combined with content analysis and a critical approach, provided a deep understanding of the role of PA in the face of modern information threats.
The second section of the work is devoted to the historical retrospective of the formation and development of public affairs systems in the armed forces of NATO member countries, particularly the United States, from the end of World War II to the beginning of the 21st century. Key stages in the establishment of communication systems between the military and the public, as well as their interaction with the media, are highlighted. The section covers periods including conflicts and military operations in Vietnam, Grenada, Panama, Yugoslavia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and Libya. The influence of information and communication technologies on the development of military public affairs, the importance of media pools, media-embedded programs, and the impact of information operations on military campaigns are analyzed.
Special attention is paid to the evolution of the public affairs system in the Armed Forces of Ukraine after the start of Russian aggression in 2014 and within the framework of the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO). Aspects of cooperation with the media, the creation of press centers, and the informational support of military actions are studied. The importance of effective communication in military conflicts, the role of public affairs in shaping public opinion and supporting the military, and the implementation of NATO standards in Ukraine’s public affairs system are emphasized.
The third section provides an overview of the organization of public affairs in the armed forces of NATO countries, highlighting the importance of this field in the context of hybrid warfare and information challenges. The author examines the role of public affairs in supporting the daily activities of the military, emphasizing their contribution to enhancing mobilization readiness, preparation for combat, and interaction with NATO military units. Key elements such as analytical and predictive, organizational and technological, managerial, and information-communication functions of public affairs are central to this analysis. Modern digital communication tools, internal communications, community engagement, and media monitoring and analysis, which play a crucial role in maintaining a positive image of the military and strengthening public trust in the armed forces, are also considered.
